W28: Pear Update

In W28 in the pear landscape, the European pear harvest for the upcoming season is projected to be approximately 1.9 million metric tons (mmt), which is considered one of the smallest production in the past decade. The Interpera predicts a 53% increase in production in Spain to 190 thousand metric tons (mt) after flowering and fruit set. Portugal's increase is 7%, bringing pear production to 130 thousand mt. France's pear production will decrease by 26% to 109 thousand mt. The Netherlands and Italy have yet to calculate their harvest forecasts. However, the production of pears in the Netherlands for the upcoming season is expected to be similar to or slightly lower than the 2022/23 season due to low rainfall during crucial periods, which may have affected the growth and fruit development. On the other hand, Belgium is anticipated to see an increase of 6% to 366 thousand mt in pear production due to favorable conditions such as good flowering, successful fruit set, and favorable fruit size. These factors have contributed to a positive outlook for Belgium’s pear yields.

The Ercolini pear season in Baix Segre, located in the northeastern Lleida region of Spain, has started earlier than usual by ten days. This season is anticipated to yield excellent quality pears with good sizes overall. However, recent reports have indicated that in certain areas, there is a slight decrease in the size of the pears produced. Meanwhile, bad weather conditions in Greece have significantly impacted pear production this 2022/23 season, leading to a decreased volume by around 10 to 15% compared to the previous year. The adverse weather during and after the blossom stage has resulted in smaller supply and lower quality of pears. As a result, there will still be good quality pears available, but the overall supply will be limited, leading to higher prices for Category I pears. Additionally, South African pear volumes are expected to drop from 21.2 million cartons to 16.9 million cartons, and the exports of South African pears will decline in most markets, with a notable drop of 16% in shipments to the European Union (EU) this 2022/23 season. Lastly, Chile's pear production is projected to drop, with a decrease of 11 thousand mt to 212 thousand mt due to declining acreage and a 20% decrease in planted areas since the 2019/20 season. Similarly, pear exports from Chile are expected to decrease by 6 thousand mt to 110 thousand mt, reflecting shrinking supplies. These factors indicate a challenging situation for the pear industry in Chile, with reduced production and export volumes compared to previous years.